Title: How picky are you about checking your own reno work?
I get what you’re saying about letting the little stuff go, but I’ll be honest—sometimes those “nobody will notice” details come back to bite you. I’ve flipped enough houses to know that what you ignore in a pantry today can become a headache when you’re trying to sell, or even just when you’re living with it for a while. It’s wild how a tiny gap or a weird paint line can suddenly jump out at you months later, especially when you’re showing the place to someone else.
That said, I’m not out here with a magnifying glass on every closet shelf. There’s a line between craftsmanship and just driving yourself nuts. I used to be the guy who’d sand and resand a baseboard in a laundry room nobody ever saw, and honestly, it was a waste of time. Now, if it’s structural or something that could cause a problem down the road—like a loose shelf bracket or a bad caulk job near plumbing—I fix it, no question. But if it’s a scuff behind the cereal boxes? I’m moving on.
One time, I spent half a day patching and repainting the inside of a linen closet because I thought it looked “off.” Next owner ripped out the shelves and put in a custom organizer anyway. That was a wake-up call for me. Now I focus on what matters—stuff that affects function, safety, or resale. The rest? If it’s hidden and harmless, I don’t lose sleep over it.
Perfection’s a moving target in this game. Good enough is usually more than enough, especially if you’ve got a dozen other projects waiting.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I used to obsess over every single detail, like making sure the caulk line behind the washer was razor straight—nobody’s ever going to see that, but it bugged me. After a few flips, though, I realized I was burning hours on stuff that just didn’t matter in the grand scheme. Now, if it’s something that could turn into a real issue (like a wobbly stair tread or a leaky faucet), I’m all over it. But if it’s a paint drip inside a cabinet? Meh, I’ll live.
Funny thing is, the stuff I thought was “good enough” has never come up in an inspection or from buyers. Meanwhile, I’ve had people nitpick the weirdest things, like the color of the grout. At the end of the day, I figure if it’s safe, solid, and looks good where it counts, I’m not sweating the rest. There’s always another project waiting to eat up my time anyway...
I hear you on the grout color—had a client once who was convinced the “wrong shade of white” was going to ruin her kitchen. Meanwhile, nobody noticed the baseboards were missing behind the fridge. Priorities, right? Sometimes you just have to pick your battles and keep your sanity.
Funny how the tiniest detail can become the hill to die on, right? I always wonder—do clients really see those subtle grout shades once everything’s in place, or is it just the stress talking? I’ve had people agonize over paint undertones and then forget about cabinet hardware entirely. Is it about control, or does every little thing genuinely matter to some folks? Either way, you nailed it—sometimes you just have to let the small stuff slide and focus on what actually changes the space.
I always wonder—do clients really see those subtle grout shades once everything’s in place, or is it just the stress talking?
Honestly, I’ve had buyers walk through a finished flip and not notice the grout or even the wall color unless it’s wild. But then again, I’ve had one person spot a single crooked outlet plate and fixate on it. Do you think people obsess more over details when they’re spending their own money, or is it just personality?
